1 Peter 4:12-19, What’s “Normal”

Peter says we should not consider strange the fiery trial which is to try you.  What is he talking about?  It is quite possible Peter is speaking of the coming judgment on Jerusalem and upon Jews generally.  That may be the judgment that begins at the house of God (v17).  But what does the immediate context says about a fiery trial?

·        It is a trial similar to Christ’s suffering (v13) when He bore the sins of the sinner (2:24) to bring the unjust to God (3:18).

·        It is being reproached for the name of Christ (v14), again, as Christ was (2:23).

·        It is suffering as a Christian (v16).  It is something that makes sense for Christians.

If the trials we have seen in 1 Peter are what he has in mind then we are talking about the persecution that comes to God’s people whose conduct is honorable but who are still reviled by the people of the world.  This should NOT be considered strange.

That would be hard enough to think about.  But in addition to that we are told to rejoice as we think about the fiery trial.  Again and again in Scripture joy is combined with suffering (Mt. 5:11-12; Rom. 5:1-5; Phil. 1:12-18; James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 1:6-7).  Let us note the reasons for this from today’s passage.

Ø    Affliction helps develops a closer fellowship with Christ (v13a).  Phil. 3:10f explains this.  Paul’s deepest desire was to know Christ both in terms of His sufferings and His resurrection.  That desire was essential to what he saw as his life plan: to be made conformable to His death so as to attain to His resurrection. Peter says that sharing in Christ’s sufferings will bring more joy when Christ returns.

Ø    Through fiery trials we share in Christ’s glory (v13b).  As Paul said, if we endure, we shall also reign with Him (2 Tim. 2:12a). 

Ø    And we rejoice because we know the Holy Spirit is working (v14).  We know this because we are blessed (i.e. happy), and that happiness can only come through the work of the Spirit.  This is the promise of Christ, that we will have rest (Mt. 11:28).

One thing could keep us from joy in suffering, and that would be if our trial was deserved as happens when we suffer for being evil.  We understand when Peter says don’t suffer as a murderer, thief or evil doer.  But he also says don’t suffer as a busybody in other people’s matters.  How does meddling in other people’s business rank with murder or stealing?  For one thing, all those sins deserve punishment.  None of them are honorable conduct.  But why speak of being a busybody?  Because it is so destructive to the relationship with the people of the world.  No one is interested in asking the reason for the hope of someone who is judgmental, condemning and always trying to correct them with words and emotions rather than by doing good, pursuing peace and thereby blessing those who are evil towards us (3:8-12).  God is first bringing the fiery trial upon His own people to cleanse them so they can be salt and light in the world and cause the Gentiles to glorify Him.  If God does that, you can be sure He will also bring just judgment on the ungodly and sinner.

With all this, and whatever trials we are to face, here is the key to not being ashamed but glorifying God in it all: let us commit our souls to God by doing good.  Let us not seek payback or the lusts of men.  Let us find joy in walking obediently in the trial, trusting in God, our faithful Creator, to glorify Himself through our lives.  Thus we will not only be partakers of Christ’s sufferings; we will be partakers of Christ’s strength and encouragement (Lk. 23:46).